Accessories (clamp, cables, adapters)

  • Thread starter Thread starter delor
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delor

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Hi!

I'm trying to set up a simple microphone setup for recording voiceovers. The setup needs to be fairly simple, as people who have never worked with audio equipment are going to be using it. I only need one channel, and it's going to be recorded by a computer (probably one with a generic soundcard, sadly; I don't have any control over what machine will be recording it and no budget to get a dedicated recording machine). The net result needs to be reasonably professional sounding, as it's being deployed in a corporate environment. I've got a budget of around $800. Also, the recording will likely not take place in a isolated sound room, so I want a directional mic to minimize background noises.

I've searched these forums extensively and have found a mic and a pre-amp that seem to meet my requirements; I'm thinking of getting the EV RE20 for a microphone and either the SP VTB-1 or the M-Audio Audio buddy for a preamp.

My question is about accessories. The microphone needs to be on a move-able desk mount. How universal are microphone clamps and stands? I've found a few places that sell EV's clamp for the RE20 (322), but I can't find any places that sell the desk stand that goes with it (422A). Can I get a different desk stand that the clamp would screw into, or a generic clamp and stand that would hold the microphone? And if so, can anyone recommend a decent stand and clamp that would serve and a site that sells them? (inexpensive preferably, since the mic and preamp blow most of my budget; figure $100 tops for stand+clamp)

Secondly, what cables and adapters will I need? Ultimately the mic input needs to be going into a computer line in jack. What cables and adapters do I need to hook the microphone to the preamp, then the preamp to the computer? (right now I'm leaning towards the M-audio Audio Buddy, if talking about a specific preamp would help)

Any info on these things would be very useful.

(oh- also, any good places online to order this stuff? Right now I'm looking at Sweetwater for most of the stuff since they seem to have most of what I need and a good bizrate rating)
 
The threads on the "clamp" (mic clip) are pretty much universal. any desk stand should work. As far as patching cables, you'll need a male to female XLR mic cable of whatever length you need. Buy a good one, such as B.L.U.E. cranberry. Generally, mic cables are 20', but you may be looking for a shorter one, such as 5', for your application. Then you will need a cable from the preamp to the soundblaster. I'm only very slightly familiar with computer recording, but I'm guessing the cheap soundcard in question wants a 1/8" miniplug. I'm presuming it will accept a balanced signal, but one of the computer recorders here can answer that. In that case, you will need a male 1/4" TRS (tip-ring-sleeve, sometimes incorrectly called a "stereo" plug) to 1/8" trs miniplug. If the soundblaster doesn't accept a balanced signal, it's the same cable, but the plugs are TS (tip-sleeve).
As far as on-line suppliers, I've had my best luck with 8th street and macmidimusic. Sweetwater generally deals in higher end gear than what you are talking about. The truth is, you are way overbudgeted, as plugging a top dynamic mic and a dedicated preamp with Monster and B.L.U.E cables into a generic soundblaster is like putting a tiara on a pig. Professional recording is not done with sound cards designed to run computer games. I would also recommend a durable steel pop filter, like a Stedman. Best of luck.-Richie
 
Since you have no idea of what machine it will be recorded on I think that it might be a good idea to skip the computer's sound card and go with a USB sound interface.

For example you could get a M-Audio MobilePre which gets you a preamp and a good external sound card in one small easy to connect unit. It is only two inputs but as you point out that is twice the number you need!. Then all you need is an XLR cable for the microphone and a USB cable to the PC. Other units might be the M-Audio Duo or the Edirol UA-5 but their only main feature over the MobilePre is 24/96 recording...and do you need that for corporate voiceovers?

That means that well within your budget you can get a nice microphone. I would suggest the Electrovoice RE20 or the Sennheiser 441
 
I think innovation's right here, at least about the sound card. My choice for a mic would be Shure SM7B, an excellent dynamic mic that was designed for broadcast work and voiceovers. But really, if you have to go into an unknown computer, use an external sound card, so you can take it with you.-good plan.-Richie
 
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